Details

We love streaming computer music, especially high resolution 24/192 studio master tracks. But most computer sound cards are not designed for music production and end up ruining the sound while popular music streaming devices like Apple TV, Squeezebox and Sonos follow a similar poor quality path. Plug any of these devices into NAD’s MDC DAC 2.0 and you will be blown away by what you hear! Listen to the details and dynamics reproduced from the original recording rather than the noise and distortion of an inadequately designed audio stage.

NAD's Innovative Solution

Two of our top-rated amplifi ers, the C 375BEE and C 356BEE, have our unique innovation-Modular Design Construction (MDC). MDC makes it easy to upgrade features and functionality. Thanks to the MDC DAC 2.0, you get the convenience of computer music without sacrifi cing the musical performance of your NAD hi-fi system.

24/192 Music

Thanks to a technique known as 'asynchronous USB', we have eliminated computer sound and let music flow freely. USB is a computer standard for high-speed data transmission (good news for 24/192 quality music) but it has a feature set skewed for PC use, not music. USB sends info in 'data packets' making the system very robust. There is also a traffi c manager that can vary the size and sequence of the packets - good for PCs, bad for music. These timing variations create a condition called 'jitter' – small variations that create a harsh distortion. However, by using the high precision clock of the MDC DAC 2.0 and built-in NAD customised software to control the PC, this distortion can be eliminated.

Be in Complete Control

If you love iTunes, plug your Apple TV into the MDC DAC 2.0 and find out what the world's most successful music service really sounds like. Ever wonder what Apple lossless sounds like in comparison to AAC compressed downloads? The MDC DAC 2.0 will reveal the truth.

Get More from your Music

If you love the Sonos or Squeezebox experience, elevate it to the next level of musical enjoyment with the MDC DAC installed in a 150W per channel C 375BEE amplifier or 80W per channel C 356BEE amplifier. Either one of these highly acclaimed amplifiers can drive high quality loudspeakers to realistic sound levels without breaking a sweat. You’ll hear more detail, dimension and natural timbre from each individual instrument than you ever thought possible.

NAD USB Audio Driver for Windows PCs (XP, Vista and 7)

In order to stream your computer audio, ensure that the Sound or Audio device setting of your computer is set to "NAD USB Audio". Download the "NAD USB Audio Driver" (click on the downloads tab on this page) and install this driver to your computer by following the instructions provided. Minimum system requirement: Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 or higher, Microsoft Windows 7 & 8.

Note: Any drivers previously loaded must be uninstalled prior to installing this driver

FOR MAC USERS

Minimum Mac OS X Snow Leopard (version 10.6) and later versions include USB Audio 2.0 drivers and therefore it is not necessary to install the NAD USB 2.0 Audio driver. Ensure the Sound device of your Mac is set to "NAD USB Audio 2.0"

Every digital device with an analog output has a Digital to Analog Converter of some kind. In the case of phones, televisions, and computers, they are usually stuck on as an afterthought, or just to do the job of creating analog sound to be amplified and played through speakers.

Having a standalone DAC is a worthwhile investment in any modern Hi-Fi system, essentially all the circuitry involved in creating that signal you can hear from the 1's and 0's is housed in its own box, with usually a much better design than what you would find in your television or computer.

A DAC can be useful to connect digital devices to an analog amplifier if the amplifier doesn't have digital inputs. Or if you are after a cleaner, more refined sound.

Things to listen for in higher quality DAC's are separation of sounds (how well you can hear a single voice or instrument in the mix of all the others), "textures" of sounds (raspyness of a bow being drawn across the strings of a double bass), or the clarity of echo's and quiet noises among loud instruments.